Highlights from Speaker Pelosi's Roundable on Vets' Issues

Yesterday, AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof joined House leadership and the nation's top veterans' advocates for a roundtable discussion on veterans' issues.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) hosted the roundtable, which brought many majority members of the House to the table to hear from the nation's leading veterans' advocates.

The afternoon's discussion centered around the VA claims backlog (AMVETS' top legislative priority for 2010), Post-9/11 G.I. Bill updates, and veterans' unemployment.

Veterans' groups were given the opportunity to candidly discuss each of the issues, receiving critical feedback on potential next steps from Congressional leaders.

Joe Violante from the Independent Budget partner DAV laid out three potential ideas to help alleviate the claims backlog.

Among the afternoon's attendees were Congressional Silver Helmet Award recipients, Reps. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) and Tim Walz (D-Minn), House Armed Service Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.).

Each of AMVETS' other partners on the Independent Budget--Paralyzed Veterans of America and VFW--also participated in the discussion, which included other noteworthy groups such as the American Legion, IAVA, Wounded Warrior Project, and Gold Star Wives.

(Image: AMVETS' Christina Roof participates in yesterday's roundtable on veterans' issues, hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)